UI Labs nabs Chicago's top tech official to run smart cities work

The City of Chicago's chief information officer discusses ways in which the city uses data; a project that "goes after rats before we ever get a complaint"; homeless prevention; the City of Big Data exhibit; and the biggest threat to innovation.

The City of Chicago's chief information officer discusses ways in which the city uses data; a project that "goes after rats before we ever get a complaint"; homeless prevention; the City of Big Data exhibit; and the biggest threat to innovation.

The city of Chicago's chief information officer, Brenna Berman, has left her government post after four years — but she's not going far.

Berman ⇒ is now heading up the City Digital initiative at UI Labs in Goose Island, the group announced Monday.

Berman had been a part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration since 2011. In 2013, she filled the vacancy left by departing CIO Brett Goldstein; she also assumed the title of commissioner of the Department of Innovation and Technology at that time. Before joining the city, she spent a decade working on government innovation at IBM.

Her last day at the city was March 31. Danielle DuMerer, the city's chief technology officer, is now serving as acting CIO, Berman said.

As executive director at City Digital, Berman said she aims to build new partnerships for the nonprofit initiative, including with large corporations, startups and other nonprofit groups. City Digital already counts Microsoft, the Illinois Institute of Technology and the city of Chicago as partners.

Berman believes the skills she honed while working for the city will be valuable in her new job.

AT&T and the city of Chicago will begin piloting smart bus shelters and information kiosks — both with free Wi-Fi — within the next couple of months, the company said Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show.

AT&T and the city of Chicago will begin piloting smart bus shelters and information kiosks — both with free Wi-Fi — within the next couple of months, the company said Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show.

"The ability to think broadly about creative partnerships to get the job done is something I think I'll bring with me," she said. "Also, the ability to think in a pretty forward-looking way about the impact of new technologies on old problems."

She said she had been looking for a role that would keep her in the smart cities space, while allowing her to remain an engaged member of the Chicago technology community and giving her time with family.

Berman said she was happy the mayor accepted her resignation, which she thinks was made easier because she's joining an organization that benefits Chicago's innovation sector. In a press release announcing the move, Emanuel said he looked forward to working with Berman at City Digital.

“City Digital has been a valuable partner in demonstrating innovative technology in Chicago to make the city a better place to live, work, and play,” Emanuel said in a written statement. “There’s a need for this new type of model that brings together the public and private sectors with community groups.”

Berman will also oversee and expand the number of smart urban infrastructure pilot projects run by the organization. The group has used Chicago as a testing ground for previous efforts, including two projects in 2016: 3-D mapping the city's underground infrastructure and monitoring smart green infrastructure.

Berman replaces Steve Fifita, who was executive director of City Digital and managing director of transition and commercialization for UI Labs since June 2015. Nowinski Collens said she worked with Fifita and Berman to structure the transition.

With Berman on the organization's leadership team, Chicago will be better able to gain ground in an increasingly competitive global smart cities market, Nowinski Collens said. She said Berman's experience in large industry combined with her perspective as a leader in city government will bring a new perspective to City Digital.

"Bringing someone like Brenna in, who has that deep, personal, intimate experience in working both within cities and within companies is going to put Chicago and City Digital ahead of the game," Nowinski Collens said.

Nowinski Collens said the addition of Berman completes the new leadership team the 3-year-old UI Labs has been putting together since last summer in anticipation of increased growth.

UI Labs named its first chief technology officer, Kevin McDunn, who most recently oversaw software, services and experiences product management at Motorola Mobility.

Another Motorola Mobility veteran, Iqbal Arshad, joined UI Labs as an advisor last fall. He was previously an executive in residence there.

Andre Gudger is a new senior advisor to UI Labs, and an entrepreneur in residence. He most recently served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for manufacturing and industrial base policy at the U.S. Department of Defense.